Protecting stone workers: Understanding HSE’s latest Silica Dust Campaign

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign to highlight the dangers of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure for stone workers. This initiative provides crucial guidance for installers, managers, and supervisors involved in stone worktop installations, aiming to mitigate the health risks associated with silica dust.

Why silica dust is dangerous

Working with stone materials such as cutting, chiseling, and polishing, produces fine dust particles containing RCS. Inhalation of these particles can cause severe and irreversible respiratory diseases, including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. These health risks, however, are entirely preventable with proper control measures.

Employer responsibilities: What employers need to know

Exposure to RCS is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). As an employer, you are legally responsible for taking effective measures to control exposure and protect workers’ health. These measures can also improve production or cut waste.

Effective control is likely to be achieved by a mixture of controls including:

• Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) for dust extraction.
• Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE).
• Water suppression.
• Process changes.

The amount of dust workers are exposed to depends on several factors including:

• The type of stone they are working with (including both natural and artificial/engineered stone).
• The type of tool they are using (powered or hand-held).
• How long they are working with the tool.
• How well they are using any extraction system (local exhaust ventilation).
• The effectiveness of their mask (respiratory protective equipment).
• How the workshop is organised (including segregation of dusty activities and housekeeping arrangements).

Key do’s and don’ts for installing stone worktops

The HSE offers a comprehensive guide on best practices for stone worktop installation. Below are key do’s and don’ts for competent staff, with additional guidance available from the HSE covering pre-installation, on-site installation, and post-installation procedures.

Competent Staff and Effective Processes

• DO ensure all installers are trained in working with stone and know how to report issues.
• DO regularly check and maintain equipment such as extraction systems, vacuums, and RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment).
• DON’T use untrained installers for handling or cutting stone.
• DON’T use poorly maintained or inadequate tools and controls.

RCS & COSHH

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure is a significant health risk in the stone industry, and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations provide a legal framework for managing this hazard effectively. COSHH mandates that employers assess, control, and monitor exposure to hazardous substances, including RCS, to prevent long-term respiratory diseases such as silicosis, COPD, and lung cancer. Compliance with COSHH requires businesses to implement robust control measures—such as local exhaust ventilation (LEV), respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and water suppression—to reduce airborne silica dust. By aligning workplace practices with both HSE’s latest silica dust campaign and COSHH requirements, employers can ensure a safer working environment, protect workers’ health, and meet regulatory obligations.

What is COSHH?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations require employers to prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. This includes identifying risks, implementing necessary control measures, and ensuring proper training and health surveillance for employees. In the context of stone working, COSHH plays a vital role in managing exposure to silica dust and other harmful substances.

A COSHH assessment is a systematic process that focuses on identifying and evaluating the risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace. It’s important to note that health hazards aren’t limited to substances explicitly labelled as ‘hazardous’; they can also arise from processes that generate harmful by-products. For instance, in stone working, activities like cutting or grinding can produce respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, which poses significant health risks.

Conducting a thorough COSHH assessment involves several key steps:

1. Identifying the hazards: Determine which substances are harmful by reviewing product labels and safety data sheets. Consider harmful substances produced by your processes, such as dust from cutting or grinding stone.
2. Assessing the risks: Evaluate who might be harmed and how. Consider how workers might be exposed (e.g., inhalation, skin contact), the frequency and duration of exposure, and any existing control measures.
3. Implementing control measures: After assessing the risks, decide on appropriate measures to prevent or control exposure. This could include using safer alternatives, changing processes to minimise dust production, or implementing engineering controls like local exhaust ventilation.
4. Recording and reviewing: Document your findings and the measures you’ve implemented. Regularly review your assessment to ensure its effectiveness and make updates as necessary.

By following these steps, employers can effectively manage the risks associated with hazardous substances like silica dust, ensuring a safer working environment for their employees.

How SafeWorkforce can help

At SafeWorkforce, we specialise in helping businesses develop and implement effective COSHH assessments to ensure compliance with HSE guidelines and protect worker health. Our services include:

• Risk identification: Evaluating processes that may produce hazardous substances, such as RCS during stone cutting or polishing.
• Exposure control measures: Recommending and implementing strategies like ventilation, RPE, and wet-cutting techniques.
• Training and competence: Providing educational programs to ensure staff understand the risks and how to mitigate them.
• Health surveillance: Assisting in the development of monitoring programs to detect early signs of respiratory issues.

By integrating HSE’s latest campaign guidance with a robust COSHH strategy, employers can safeguard their workforce from the dangers of silica dust while ensuring compliance with legal obligations.

For further information on the HSE’s campaign, visit: HSE Stone Masonry Guide